© 2026 Nanjing Finechem Holdings Co., Ltd,
All Right Reserved
Name: Stearyl Alcohol
Chemical Formula: C18H38O
CAS Number: 112-92-5
Synonyms: 1-Octadecanol, Octadecyl Alcohol
Physical Description: White, waxy solid with a faint odor
Common Uses: Cosmetics, pharmaceuticals, lubricants, personal care products, textile production, and food-grade applications
Odor Threshold: Not strongly perceptible through smell under normal room conditions
GHS Classification: Not classified as hazardous under most guidelines
Main Hazards: Mild irritation to skin, eyes, and respiratory tract on heavy exposure; possible combustion risk since most high-molecular alcohols can support a fire with the right conditions; slip hazard if spilled on smooth surfaces
Chronic Effects: Low systemic toxicity; can cause irritation for individuals with sensitive skin after prolonged exposure
Environmental Risks: Not acutely toxic, but persistent spills create physical risks to aquatic life and alter surface water characteristics
Chemical Identity: Stearyl Alcohol
Purity: Typically exceeds 95% active ingredient
Relevant Impurities: Trace amounts of other long-chain fatty alcohols
Substance Type: Single substance, not a mixture
Physical State: Solid at room temperature, melts around 58–60°C
Inhalation: Remove from area of exposure; provide fresh air; seek medical attention if symptoms persist
Skin Contact: Wash thoroughly with soap and water; remove contaminated clothing; prolonged contact can cause dryness or rash, especially for workers handling raw fats and detergents regularly
Eye Contact: Rinse with water for several minutes; seek medical care if discomfort continues
Ingestion: Not likely to be toxic in small amounts; rinse mouth with water; seek medical help if a large amount is swallowed or symptoms develop
Flash Point: Around 198°C
Suitable Extinguishing Media: Water fog, foam, dry chemical, CO2 extinguishers work; don’t use direct water jets due to spattering risk
Combustion Products: Irritating fumes, carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide
Fire Hazards: Can melt and flow, creating secondary hazards; wax fires can reignite due to the high-energy content of the material
PPE for Firefighters: Full protective gear, self-contained breathing apparatus
Personal Protection: Wear gloves and safety glasses; avoid breathing dust
Cleanup: Sweep up solid material, gather for disposal; wash the residue with warm soapy water
Slip Hazard: Hard surfaces become slippery when covered with spilled material
Environmental Measures: Don’t flush into drains; avoid letting material reach watercourses as it can solidify on contact with cold water
Handling Practices: Prevent skin and eye contact; use mechanical handling to minimize dust; process controls help reduce manual lifting, which is important in settings moving drums or bags
Storage Conditions: Store in tightly closed containers in cool, dry, and well-ventilated areas; avoid heat sources; keep apart from oxidizing agents
Incompatible Materials: Strong oxidizers like peroxides and acidic chlorides
Engineering Controls: Local exhaust ventilation needed for industrial-scale operations
Eye Protection: Safety glasses for melting or granulation; goggles for large-scale transfers
Skin Protection: Protective gloves; work clothing to prevent repeated contact; barrier creams for additional protection
Respiratory Protection: Dust masks if large volumes handled
Workplace Hygiene: Wash hands before eating or drinking, as residues can persist on the skin
Appearance: White, waxy flakes or solid blocks
Odor: Mild, almost odorless
Melting Point: 58–60°C
Boiling Point: Above 200°C
Vapor Pressure: Negligible at ambient temperatures
Solubility: Insoluble in water, dissolves in alcohols, ether, and chloroform
Density: About 0.81 g/cm3
pH: Not applicable
Partition Coefficient (log Pow): High, indicating a tendency to accumulate in organic phases
Stability: Stable under normal handling and storage
Conditions to Avoid: High heat, open flames, strong oxidizers
Incompatible Materials: Oxidizing acids, strong alkalis under extreme conditions
Decomposition Products: Smoke, hazardous carbon fumes at high temperatures
Acute Toxicity: Oral and dermal toxicity low; not identified as a major poison, but concentrated exposure can lead to local irritation
Skin Contact: Repeated exposure potentially drying or sensitizing, especially among users in industrial or cosmetic manufacturing
Eye Contact: Local irritation in sensitive individuals
Chronic Exposure: Few adverse reports at typical consumer exposure levels; higher rates of dermatitis among workers in cosmetic factories; data on mutagenicity or carcinogenicity inconclusive or lacking
Aquatic Toxicity: Very low acute toxicity to fish and aquatic organisms
Persistence and Degradability: Readily biodegradable over time according to studies on fatty alcohols
Bioaccumulation: Unlikely due to high molecular weight and poor water solubility
Mobility in Soil: Tends to adsorb strongly to soils and sediments
Other Information: Large spills can physically block oxygen transfer in surface waters, affecting aquatic life and fouling wastewater systems in industrial areas
Waste Handling: Put collected scrap in sealed containers for pickup; don’t pour melted stearyl alcohol into industrial sinks
Recycling Opportunities: Many cosmetic operations recover and reuse trimmings when possible
Incineration: Waste can be incinerated by approved facilities since the byproducts are typical organic combustion gases
Land Disposal: Only as local rules allow, since fatty compounds can lead to blockages and may not decompose rapidly in cold climates
UN Number: Not classified as a dangerous good for transport
Hazard Class: No specific hazard
Packing Group: No packing group designation for land, sea, or air shipping
Labeling: No hazard label required, but it pays to keep containers sealed and upright during shipping to minimize the risk of leaks and cross-contamination
Bulk Shipment: Carried in drums or bags; solidifies at ambient temperatures and does not flow if spilt unless temperatures are elevated
Workplace Regulations: No widely recognized worker exposure limits in most regions; safety focused on minimizing skin and eye contact
Cosmetic Rules: Allowed in cosmetics based on long-term safety record and negligible toxicity; maximum use concentrations set in some countries to avoid irritation
Environmental Rules: Not classed as a major environmental hazard, but some local jurisdictions include fatty chemicals under industrial pollutant monitoring
Special Notes: Any changes to classification or new research updates often come from worker health surveys in cosmetics and personal care product manufacturing, where ongoing reviews help report new dermal effects
